Justice Sues Pa. For Motor Voter Lag

The Justice Department sued Pennsylvania and two other states yesterday to force them to comply with the federal motor voter law.

The lawsuits represent the latest confrontation in the escalating fight between states and the federal government over who is responsible for paying for federally mandated programs.

The motor voter law would allow people to register to vote when they renew their drivers licenses.

Yesterday's legal action came as the Ridge administration publicly pledged cooperation and pleaded for more time to comply. However Justice officials claimed they were "sent packing" Friday when they tried to reach a compromise with the new governor.

It is the second lawsuit filed against the state in the last month over the motor voter law. Last month, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a grass-roots community interest group, sued.

"How difficult is it to hand out forms to people when they stop by a government building?," Attorney General Janet Reno asked when she announced the lawsuits against Pennsylvania, California and Illinois.

"Someday, every American will be able to benefit from this common sense law," she said.

South Carolina and Michigan will also face lawsuits if federal officials determine they also are out-of-compliance with the law.

Under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, states were required by Jan. 1 to provide voter registration forms at motor vehicle registration locations, other state agencies and through the mail.

Pennsylvania has the equipment in place to obey the law, but the state Senate twice blocked legislation to authorize $1.2 million to pay for the program.

"Until we get money, we can't go forward here," Pennsylvania Department of State spokesman Jon Harwood said last month. "We've been poised and ready here for months to start, all we need is the money."

As many as 17 million people nationally and 3 million Pennsylvanians are eligible to vote but are not registered.

Opponents, such as California Gov. Pete Wilson have defiantly opposed the measure claiming it imposes another unfunded mandate on states. Wilson, who claims motor voter would cost California $35 million, has ordered state employees not to implement the law.

But Reno said the Constitution gives Congress authority to regulate federal elections, while touting the law as an example of how federal and state government can work together.

"It's frustrating because the governor shares the goal of increased voter registration," said Tim Reeves, spokesman for Gov. Tom Ridge. "He's been in office less than a week and the most productive way to reach the shared goal would be to work together."

"Instead, the taxpayers are going to have to pay money to send their lawyers into court to fight there, and it's not the most productive way to resolve it," he said.

In a letter sent to Reno yesterday, Gov. Tom Ridge's general counsel, Paul A. Tufano, said the governor supports the law's goal and asked for an extra three to four months to work with the General Assembly to comply.

Justice officials said they attempted to work with states toward voluntary compliance, but said Ridge aides were uncooperative.

"We were essentially sent packing," said Assistant Attorney General Deval L. Patrick.

In an interview, Tufano called Patrick's characterization of the talks "completely untrue" and said the Justice Department gave him an ultimatum demanding that the state "completely capitulate."

"If anybody went packing, it was them at their own accord," said Tufano, adding he was left "frustrated" by the incident.